Means for operating doors.



BASHA'W, 0. COOK & P. G. WITHROW.

MEANS FOR OPERATING DOORS. APPLICATION FILED 00T.23, 1912.

Patented MLy 5, 1914 G. W. BASHAW, W. 0. COOK & P. G. WITHROW.

MEANS FOR OPERATING DOORS.

APPLICATION FILED 001223, 191.

Patented May 5, 1914,

Z SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. Inventors. f

I I l-1 formed integral with equalizing lever or bar 15. One end of lever or bar has a link 1(3 pivotally connected thereto; the lower end of link 16 being preferably bifurcated, as more clearly shown in Fig. 2, which bifurcated end is pivotally secured at 1.7 to the upper door-member 8. The opposite end of equalizing bar or lever 15 is provided with a rod or bar 18 pivotallv connected thereto, the lower end of rod or bar 18 be- I ing provided with a cam 1'9 at its lower ex properly tremity, either formed integral therewith or properly secured thereto, the cam being adapted to extend into a cam-socket formed in the under side of the lower doorsection 9, or more properly speaking in the under surface of the pivot-receiving arm or extension of the lower door-section as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The cam socket 20 is preferably formed of increasing depth, the depth increasing toward the side of the socket farthest removed from the pivotal point 11 of the door-section; while the cam 19 is preferably provided with a sloping or somewhat. arcuated surface as clearly shown, thus providing clearance or space between the upper surface of the cam and the socket at the end of the socket farthest removed from the pivotal point 11 when the door-sections are' in normal or closed position. The socket 20 is provided with a depression which receives the heel or projection 19 formed on the cam whereby any slipping ac tion of the cam against the door is prevented.

The two door-sections may be symmetrical and made from the same pattern; for that reason the upper door-section 8 is shown provided with a camsocket shown in dotted lines at 21 similar to cam-socket 20 in the lower door-section; the socket in the upper door-section, however, performs no function but permits the door-sections being assembled without regard to their position.

The lower side of the pivot receiving arm or projection of upper door-section 8 is provided with a cam-socket at 22, which is made of increasing depth as it approaches" the pivotal point 10.

The ring-or frame 5 is shown provided with a bracket 23 and pin 26 whereby the vertically movable push rod or member 24- is slidably held in place; the push rod or member 2 1 being provided with a slot as at 25 through which the stud or pin 26 extends.

The lower end of the push rod 24 is pivotally connected at 2T with'the inner or short arm 28 of foot treadle or lever 29; the. treadle 29 being pivotal'ly mounted at 30 on a suitable bracket 31 which latter may be secured to the boiler-head.

The push rod or member 24: is provided at its upper end with a cam 32 which extends into cam socket as clearly shown in Fig. 1; the end of the cam in contact with doorsection 8 when the latter is in normal or closed position, is preferably provided with the protrusion or heel 33 which extends into a depression formed in door member 8 whereby slipping of the cam on the door member is prevented.

Where the downward movement of doorsection 9 is not restricted by reason of the proximity of the engine deck to the fire-box opening, or for any other reason, the two .door-sections are made symmetrical, with the distance between the points 10 and 17 on the upper door-section equal to the distance between the pivotal point 11 and the point 31 on the lower door-section, while the distance between the point 35 and contactpoint 3t on the equalizer bar 15 is slightly greater than the distance between the point 36 and the point. 37. The purpose in having the distance between the points 35 and 36 slightly greater than the distance between the points 36 and 37, is to prevent the tendency of the doors to work themselves open; the doorsections together with their respective connections being very nearly balanced when in closed position.

Where the movement of the lower doorsection is restricted in any way, the lower door-section is made narrower and relatively heavier than the upper door-section so as to compensate for the ditfer'ence in di mensions, and the points 17v and 34: are spotted or moved the required distance from the fulcrumpoints lO'and 11, respectively, so as to impart a relatively greater travel to the upper door-section than that had by the lower door-section. p

In the operation of the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the depression of foot treadle or lever 29 will move push rod or member 24 upward, and force upper doorsection 8 upward about its pivotal point 10. The upward movement of door-section 8 will move link 16 with it, thereby rocking equalizer bar 15 on the member or bracket 13 so as to allow rod or bar 18 to move downward, which in turn permits door-section 9 to drop or swing downward about its pivotal point. 11. a

In the operation of the door-sections'as just described, the cam 32 will have a rolling or shiftiugcontact with upper doorsection 8 so that the side or surface of the cam nearest pivotal point 10 will be in 'contact with the lower surface of the door-section when the door has been completely opened. By reason of this rolling or shifting contact between the cam of push rod 2- and the upper door-section, very little travel on the part of push rod 24: is necessary and, therefore, but slight downward movement on the part of foot treadle required. During-the opening operation of the doors, the distance between points 35 and 36 has increased and moved toward the right in Fig. 1. as to be at the extreme right hand corn." us.

nerf'of eani' port-ion let, while; the distance I between pivotal point 11 of thelower door section and point 34'on the cam l9 ha's increased and moved toward the outer or left hand corner of cam 19, in Fig. 1. I The shifting of the cam portions in the manner just described provides a difl'erential leverage in favor of the upper door-section, so that when the door-sections havebe'en moved to ma complete ope-n positiom'the upper doorsection together with its connected rods and levers will 'overbalance the lower door-sec .tionand induce the automatic closing of the" door-sections as soon as the. operator releases 5 foot'treadle 29. 4

With 'the-door-sections and their'respec tive connections very nearly in balance while in closed position, it is evident that they may he casilystarted from a state, of rest.

go without requiring a great'exei'tion on- .the ,part of the opera'tor, n'hich 'would be the cas'eif the upper door-section greatly over balanced: the lower door-section while the sections are in closed position. Suddenfootpressure on the treadle'w ill' ive the, doorsections an initial velocity sufficientto'carry' I them to-an entirely open position without:

. any increased effort on the partof. the. operf ator, and by reason of the shifting or rolling contact between the cam end ofthe rod and the-upper door-section, it necessitates but slight movement being'given to the'foot 'treadle in order to induce-a complete; O1)B1l ing; of the dbor-sect-ions. B v--i'eason of-the small movement necessary to completely.

'open the door, it is evident thatthe foot treadle maybe so placed that the operator need merely raise 'his toe or heel Without lifting his entire foot from'the engine deck- 4o'when desiring; to operate the doors. The small amount. of powerfirequired to operate or open the door-sections,'as'owell as the small or short travel" of the .-foot 'treadle uet-essary to accomplish a complete opening ot'the door-sections, isthe great'desideratum f .of a successful device of the character .h'ere-' .in described, being essential both from the.

standpoint of the constant energy necessary onth e. part of the. fireman as well as regards his safety in being. able to-keep his foot on the engine deck and, therefore, better. able to maintain his balance during the running of thelocomoti'veQ In Figs. and EL, wee illustrate a modified form of our invention, wherein 'the'door comprises the two sect1ons8? and 9 adapted to slide verticallvln the'gu de lne'mbers38 40, the lowerend whereof has a horizontally extending portion to provide bearing pointor socket as shown at 41 n The upper cloonsection- 8 has alink 42 p votally connected thereto; pivotally connected to the upper end of link 42 the point- 43 "red 52, will bejmoved. "u

--s'ion in'the-bracket. v Theopposite. end of equalizing bar for level-"15 is pivotall-yconne'cted to a vlink and .39, In this construction the-'fran e-or; ring 5 is provided with a depending bracketfi.

is a levere l, the outer 'i'vh'ereof isjful= crulned orrpivotally connected alt-45 to an extens ion or bracket 46 preferably formed integral'With 'guide member 38. The lo\ver door-section 9* has a similar 1ink47 pivoted thereto; the-lower end of the link being piv oted'at 48 to. a lever 49, the latter beingpivoted or fulcrum'ed at 50 to' abracket or.

A vertically movable push rod or. member extension 51 whic'h is preferablyasecured' to oi.'--forme.d integral with guide member 39..

a is shown providedfwith a 1ink.-5.3, see Fig; .4, which may be secured to lugs formed near I the 'lower end of rod '52, 'and'link 53 is piv g 1 i totally secured to a lever"54 which isifnl,

crumed at 55 ton bracketl 56, which latter may be suitably secured to-guide' v38or toj .the wall'ofthe afire-bo x." The-other end off lever 54is'pivotally' secured to foot t'readlem or lever} '57'Wl1lCll has its fulcrumfat-lthe. POi.11-.58.whichimay be. formed by roviding I the inner. end .of the treadle with a." lug jor .hookportion'taking to the rear of'the-ilower j-endvof guide member 38, so.tlf1at pressure-by the I operator .on' the: treadle will compel the *treadleor foot: lever tomove aboutthe o'int 58- therebyjdrawing the 1 short arm' of lever ,54 downward andmove the long arm thereof PWa rd, whereby: '53', together with push. r

leverto move upward therewith I 1..

pward, and compel Pivot'a'lly secured to} the lower part 0& r I push rod 52is anequalizingbar.or -lever15*}:

which is provided lwi'th' 'a- -cam' portion .143.- Iwhi'ch' has bearing-in -the;depending bracket 40 of the fi' 'ame or ring 5. The. cam portion 3' .14; is provided with a, sloping or somewhat. i

-'a rcuated surface, as clearly shown in. 'Fig. i.

located, is. normally in cont-am with bracket, as clearly-shownz-in thefigure. 1

In orderto prevent-any 'slippingof the cam on thebracket, the cam may-"pro-- v-ided with a *heclior idepending portion-59.

extending into a similarly Sform'eddepres-...'-

60, which link infturn is pivotally. connected at t-h.e"poi-nt 61 to lever 49, oflower door- I Theup'per end-ofpush rod {)2 is shown section 9.

provided I with a slotted end 52, nil'lieh re -1,?" c-eivesa stud or pin 62 whereby. the upper" end of Jt-hefpush rod maybe sIidingIy held in place and the weight Of'thQPllSll rod a d'its connectionsyare suspended from lever 44 when the operator" releases foot treadle 5.7 after thedoor-sections have'been moved toopen positions The" guide member 39 is also shown provided ,with a suitable pawl rap.-

' door-sections are in closed position. \Vith these conditions the operator need not use great exert-ion to operate the construction, as the door-secti0ns may be easily started in motion from a state of restg'the sudden toot pressure applied to the treadle will give sufiicient initial velocity to carry the sections to complete open position without requiring anvincreased' effort. A depression of foot lever 57 will draw .the short arm of lever 54 downward, move the long arm thereof upward, as well as link whereb push rod 52 is operated in a similar direction. The cam portion of push rod 52 farthest removed from fulcrum point 45 will move lever 44 u ward. Bv reason of the coin struction. eat leverage is obtained at the initial point ofoperation, namelv at the time when the greatest power isnecessarv and which can be obtained without much exertion: but during the upward movement of door-section 8 together with its lever i i. the canrportion nearest pivotal point 45 will be brought into contact with the lever 44. lhis construction obviates the necessity for anv considerable upward movement on the part of the push rod 52,-and consequentlv require-s but slight downward movement on the part of foot. treadle, thereby enabling the toe or heel of the operator simply to be employed in the opening oper ation without requiring the operator to lift his foot from the deck of the engine. When theupper doorsection S" is-moved upward to open position. equalizing bar or lever 15 will rock on the cam portion ll so that the end of. equalizing bar 15 connected to link 60 will move downward and with. it lever 49. thus allowing lower door-section 9 to drop.

With the door-sections moved to complete open position, an overbalanced condition secured infavor of the upper door-sectioi'i and its connections. suiiicient to cause the automatic closing otthe door sections as soon as the operator lifts hi foot from treadle 57; it being induced by the (litterential leverage obtained in the shitting of the fulcrum point of cam llwhich shitting provides a long arm intermediate pt push rod and the port-ion of ram 1'4 nearest link 60. v

Where the downward movement of lower door-section or member 9 is limited for any reason. the spotting or placing {of the points menace 61 and 62 must be altered so as to induce greater relative movement on the part of upper door-section 8*.

Bv employing the connection between the inner ends of levers it and 4 and the re' spective doorsections '8 and 9" shown and described, and locating the fulcrum points to and 50 on a horizontal line approvimatel}- halfway between the open and closed positions of the points +13 and 4S mspectivelv the pulling action of the levers will be exerted as near the vertical axes of the sections throughout the travel of the sections as possible, thereby preventing anv tendenc v of the doors sticking or wedging themselves during operation.

In this construction the push-rod or member in addition'to the function of raising or opening the upper door-section, also acts a connecting link intermediate of the lever connected to the upper doorsection and the equalizing lever or bar; in this respect the push rod or member takes the place of link 16 of the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

\Ve have shown and described specific forms of our invention wherein a substantial balanced condition is had while the doorsections are closed, and wherein an unbalanced condition is obtained after the doorsections have been moved to open position. together with a differential leverage. suiticient to overcome an v friction of the worl ing parts as well as that. caused by the pull of the fire draft. so that automatic closing of the door-sections is induced. The constructions, however, may be somewhat varied in certain details without, however. departing from the s irit of our invention, and we do not Wish, therefore, to be understood as limiting ourselves to the exact constructions shown and described.

hat we claim is 1. Means for operating doors. comprising a pair of door-sections arranged to movein opposite directions. each section being controlled bv a fixed fulcrum point, a pair of members having operative relation with-said door-sections. an equalizing member having operative relation with said pair of mem bers and provided with a fulcrum point intermediate of its ends adapted to shift during movement of the door sections and verti iallv movable means adapted to move the upper door-section upward and rock the equalizing member so as to shift its "fulcrum or contact point relative to the ends thereof and allow the lower door-section to move t openv position t-hereb v inducing an unbalanced condition in favor of the upper door section, the engaging surface of said vertically movable means being arranged. to shift or move toward the fixed fulcrum point controlling the upper door-section, during the opening operation of the door-sections.

means operatively connected with bothdcorsections whereby the two door-sections are made to move together. said means being provided with a bearing pointintermediate of its ends adapted to shift relative to the vertical plane through which the door-sec tions move when the latter are separated and thereby produce anoverbalanced condition in favor of the upper door-section so that the automatic closing of the sections is induced.

Means for operating doors, comprising a'pair of door-sections arranged to move in opposite directions, a pair of'members having operative eonnect-ion'with both doorsections, arocking member operatively connected. with both do or-sec .ti ons and. provided with a fulcrum point intermediate of its ends adapted to shift relative to the endsthereof during the operation of said door-sections whereby an unbalanced rela tionis' induced and simultaneous operation of the door-sections obtained, and means whereby movement of the door-sections to open position is induced.

4. Means of the class described, comprising a pair of door-sections fulcrumed so as to move in opposite vertical directions,

means intermediate of said sections and provided with a fulcrum point intermediate of the endsthereof adapted to shift whereby the simultaneous operation of the two sections is produced and the automatic closure of the sections-secured through the shifting movement of said fulcrum point toward one end of said means, and means for causing theopening of the door-sections, the power-exerting point of said last-mentioned means being adapted "to shift or move toward and away from the fulcrum controlling one of said door-sections during the opening and closing, respectively, of the door-sections.

5.5.Means of the class described, comprising a pair of door-sections adapted to move in opposite vertical directions, means whereby pressure on the upper section may be had, the point of application of the pressure being arranged to shift or move in a transverse direction, and means having positive operative relation with both sections whereby the simultaneous operation of the sections is produced, said means being arranged trans: .versely of the door-sections and provided with an intermediate shifting fulcrum point whereby an unbalanced condition is obtained in favor of the upper door-section when the doors are open andthe automatic closing of. the sections induced thereby.

6. Means of the class. described,1comprising a pair of door-sections arranged to move vertically in oppositedirections, each sec tion being-controlled by a. fulcrum point arranged at the side of the vertical plane in which said sections move, a vertically mov able, member whereby an upward pressure is transmitted to the upper door-section, saidof its ends, so arranged as to shift relative to the ends of the member whereby an overbalanced relation between the sections in favorof the upper door-section is produced. and the automatic closure of the sections obtamed.

7. Means of the class described, comprising a pair of door-sections fulcrumed so as to move in opposite vertical directions, the

fulcrum points of, the sections being arranged beyond the vertical plane through which the sections move, a vertically movable "member adapted to transmit upward pressure to the upper door-section in proximity to the fulcrum point of said section,

the pressureexertingp'oint of said member being arranged to move toward and away from said fulcrum point during the movement of the sections, and a transversely arranged tiltably'mounted member having an intermediate fulcrum point arranged to,

shift relative to the ends of the member, the

opposite ends of the 'member having controlling relation with the opposite door sections, so that tilting of said member will produce an overbalanced condition in favor of theupper door-section and induce the an; tomatic closure of the'sections.

8. Means of the class described, comprising a pair of vertically movable 'door-sec- I tions, said sections being. substantially in balance while in closed position and arranged to move in opposite directions, a vertically movable-member aving controlling relation with the upper door-section, means whereby said member is moved upward, and a tiltably mounted member arranged transversely with its opposite ends placed in controlling relation with opposite doorsections, said last-mentioned member having a shifting-fulcrum point intermediate of its ends whereby an unbalanced condition of the member is produced in favor of the door-section occupying the. higher horizontal plane when the door-sections are sep-' arated and an over-balanced relation between the door-sections establlshed, which will induce the automatic closing of the door-sections.

9. Means of the class described, compris- I ing' a pair of door-sections arranged to move inopposite vertical directlons, each 1sect-1on' being controlled by a fulcrum point, therelative to'the fulcrumipoint which controls said upper door-section, and a tiltably mounted member arranged intermediate of the vertical planes of the fulcrum points of said sections whereby both door-sections are made to move together, said member having a hearing or fulcrum point arranged intermediate oi' the vertical planes of the ful crum points of the door-secticmsadapted to shift relative to said vertical planes whereby an overbalanced relation between the sections in favor of the upper door-section is produced when the doors are. open and the automatic closure of the sections obtained.

10. In means of the class described, the

combination of a frame member provided with an extended portion or bracket, with a pair of door-sections arranged to move vertically in opposite directions, each section being controlled by a fulcrum point arranged on opposite sides OI the vertical plane through which the sections move, a vertically movable member adapted to transmit upward pressure to the upper doorsection, said member having shiftingmovement relative to the fulcrum point controlling the'upper door-section, and a trans-- versely arranged tiltahlvmounted member whereby both door-sections are made to move together, said tiltably mounted memher having a bearing or fulcrunrpoint on said extended portion or bracket of the frame member, arranged to shift relative to the vertical planes occupied by the t'ulcrum points of the sections whereby an overbalanced relation between the sections in favor of the upper door-section is produced when the doors are opened' and the antmnatic closure of the sections obtained thereby.

GEORGE W. BASHAW; KY. 0. COOK. v PAUL WTTHROW \Yitnesses V. J. TAPE: Rnrrmcn, Jr. 

